When trying to make maps for the first time its not so bad, but not knowing how to troubleshot 3ds max is something else. when i go to make a box for my map then flip it, the box goes black but if i hide the sides and the top i can get to work. after i am done and i did everything all the same as this guy..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS2AH5Coxto

I get into sapien and my map is all black and i can kinda make out the map :\
ive tryed doing radiosity_quality 0 then radiosity_start then saved and still all black.

so im thinkin it has something to do with my 3ds max 9

if you can help that would be great, thanks tonka :)
p.s will take screenpics if needed

I had this problem as well. Select the geometry of your map, then right-click on the viewport and click object properties. Then, once the dialog box opens, check "backface cull".

Although your other problem in sapien might be being caused by something else. Does you map have a +sky material applied in 3ds or any other source of light placed in sapien?
Edited by rerout343 on Aug 17, 2011 at 02:06 AM

thanks that helps alot :)

but after redoing everything still black and purple in sapien :\

but i cant think of anything

You have a material in max called _sky , that is applied to the sky faces?
You added a .sky to the scenario?
In tool type tool lightmaps levels\location\name name 0 0.9

well i can see my map now and the sky and cliffs but my ground looks like snow lol

im just using the tutorial ground bitmap so i think i need to retrace my steps now but i got no errors when using tool so idk

well when i do...tool structure levels\newmap newmap. i get this.. ### warning found nearly coplanar surface (red and green)
Edited by tonka227 on Aug 17, 2011 at 06:44 PM